Teenager Jake Embery took his big chance after being handed a surprise first start for Maidstone.

If Embery's inclusion caught out Havant, the same can be the same for the player himself.

But the striker, who a fortnight ago was playing for Herne Bay in Bostik South East, took it all in his stride and scored a terrific opener in United's 2-0 National League win.

He said: "To be fair, I wasn't expecting it myself. I thought I'd come off the bench again maybe.

"I found out just as I came in this morning.

"It was a bit of a shock when my name was read out but it paid off.

"I just had to relax because I knew I'd be playing in front of a big crowd, relax, take it in my stride and enjoy it.

"I think I should have scored a hat-trick but I'm off the mark and we won, so I can't grumble."

Embery gave Havant's big centre-halves a torrid time and put Maidstone in front after latching on to Blair Turgott's pass and dinking the ball over goalkeeper Ben Dudzinksi.

It was a lovely goal but not a typical Embery finish, as it turned out.

He said: "It was just in the moment, I dinked it and it went in.

"The thing is, I never really score dinks, ever.

"I can't think of a time I've dinked the goalie.

"Usually I just bend that and put it past him but I dinked him and it went it. It was a great moment.

"In the air I'm obviously not going to win much but the midfield played to my strengths, slid me in multiple times and doing that against big defenders, I'm always going to get in behind and I'm always going to be quicker than them so it worked well."

Stones head of football John Still and head coach Hakan Hayrettin see Embery as a key part of their rebuilding plans.

And when the bosses have that much faith, it can only help your confidence.

Embery said: "The belief from the managers in me is unbelievable.

"I can't think of any better pair to work under at the moment.

"Showing such belief in me at such a young age, it feels like they're building around me."